Hi everybody I'm new here. I have always wanted to own the SMLE. I own and shoot the Mauser K98 plus modern rifles and pistols. I have saved enough money for the SMLE and have spotted one for sale but it is described as "safety mechanism removed". It looks like a clean gun from the photo so I will probably buy it. Can a "safety mechanism" be bought easily enough? It looks similar to the Safety on a no.4. Is that correct. Brilliant Forum, I don't understand how it has escaped me.
PS Resident in Ireland but will buy world wide.
Full Version: Replacing the safety on SMLE
QUOTE (nagantino @ Sep 10 2009, 11:16 AM) 
Hi everybody I'm new here. I have always wanted to own the SMLE. I own and shoot the Mauser K98 plus modern rifles and pistols. I have saved enough money for the SMLE and have spotted one for sale but it is described as "safety mechanism removed". It looks like a clean gun from the photo so I will probably buy it. Can a "safety mechanism" be bought easily enough? It looks similar to the Safety on a no.4. Is that correct. Brilliant Forum, I don't understand how it has escaped me.
PS Resident in Ireland but will buy world wide.
PS Resident in Ireland but will buy world wide.
Replacing the safety/locking bolt and spring etc is very straigtforward on the No1MkIII. 1 screw, one washer/spacer, one spring, one locking bolt, one safety catch. Parts can be purchased very cheaply in the US (under $10.00 for the lot) - if you need a supplier let me know.
The trick to replacing them is to get the threads correctly lined up prior to installing them (the safety operates on a thread - when the locking lever is pulled backwards it screws the safety into place (and vice versa when you push it forward it screws the safety out/off) - so youhave to start it at the correct "o'clock" for it to work. Its a 2 min job.
Although the safety on the No1MkIII is the same as the No4 in basic form and how it operates, the lever/spring itself is different - they are not interchangeable.
Can post pics if needed.
A reliable working safety is important. I would always suggest consulting a qualified gunsmith if you have any doubts.
Chris
Click to view attachment
The component parts
Just one more note - this assumes that we are referring to the SMLE MkIII or MkIII* earlier versions, such as the LE1 and conversions from "Long Lees", sometimes retain the earlier bolt mounted safety which is quite different. Those pictured above were standard in the Great War.
Click to view attachment
Ready for installation
Gordans,
Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I will wait until I have bought the Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, but I will replace the safety. I am left wondering why anyone would remove the safety on a rifle. And yes, if you could give me the address of the company that supplies these parts I would appreciate it. I can have them ready to install when I get the rifle. Thanks again.
Thanks for the comprehensive reply. I will wait until I have bought the Short, Magazine, Lee Enfield, but I will replace the safety. I am left wondering why anyone would remove the safety on a rifle. And yes, if you could give me the address of the company that supplies these parts I would appreciate it. I can have them ready to install when I get the rifle. Thanks again.
Drop me an email and I will supply the website addresses. Even though I have no connection with the companies I am usure of the protocol regarding putting links to commercial concerns in the discussion section of the board, so rather than transgress... if you drop me a line I'll send them on.
Actually missing safeties seem to be relatively common, which is why I had the spare one in my parts box to photograph! - although like you I have no idea why. One thing you might check before you purchase (especially if this is sight unseen) is if the thread in the mounting hole (in the left side of the reciever) is stripped out (unlikely but possible) If it is, this would explain the missing safety and will make things much more complicated as you would have to rethread it and use a slightly oversized screw...which would be worth a very significant discount or (unless there is something particularly desirable about this rifle) perhaps waiting for another one.
Chris
Actually missing safeties seem to be relatively common, which is why I had the spare one in my parts box to photograph! - although like you I have no idea why. One thing you might check before you purchase (especially if this is sight unseen) is if the thread in the mounting hole (in the left side of the reciever) is stripped out (unlikely but possible) If it is, this would explain the missing safety and will make things much more complicated as you would have to rethread it and use a slightly oversized screw...which would be worth a very significant discount or (unless there is something particularly desirable about this rifle) perhaps waiting for another one.
Chris
QUOTE (4thGordons @ Sep 11 2009, 04:57 AM)
Drop me an email and I will supply the website addresses. Even though I have no connection with the companies I am usure of the protocol regarding putting links to commercial concerns in the discussion section of the board, so rather than transgress... if you drop me a line I'll send them on.
Actually missing safeties seem to be relatively common, which is why I had the spare one in my parts box to photograph! - although like you I have no idea why. One thing you might check before you purchase (especially if this is sight unseen) is if the thread in the mounting hole (in the left side of the reciever) is stripped out (unlikely but possible) If it is, this would explain the missing safety and will make things much more complicated as you would have to rethread it and use a slightly oversized screw...which would be worth a very significant discount or (unless there is something particularly desirable about this rifle) perhaps waiting for another one.
Chris
Actually missing safeties seem to be relatively common, which is why I had the spare one in my parts box to photograph! - although like you I have no idea why. One thing you might check before you purchase (especially if this is sight unseen) is if the thread in the mounting hole (in the left side of the reciever) is stripped out (unlikely but possible) If it is, this would explain the missing safety and will make things much more complicated as you would have to rethread it and use a slightly oversized screw...which would be worth a very significant discount or (unless there is something particularly desirable about this rifle) perhaps waiting for another one.
Chris
I posted earlier regarding the missing Safety Mechanism on an SMLE I was looking at, and thinking of buying. I was talking to a dealer who said he thought someone must have removed the Safety so that a Parker Hale sight could be fitted. It got me wondering.....was there any similar sight fitted to these rifles during the First World War. I know that Parker Hale began making these sights after the conflict in 1925 or so, but did the Germans have anything similar?
The fitting of a Parker Hale sight could be one reason, although when I had a SMLE for long range target work I seem to remember the safety was still fitted.
The British did not issue any Parker or similar ordinary aperture target sights during the war, but did obtain a fair number of optical Galiliean sights that were usually fitted over the existing sights. The Lattey, Neill, Martin and Gibbs were the best known of these.
The Australians though did issue rifle club type sights to snipers at Gallipoli and probably in other theatres, and they were used with considerable success.
The Germans were fairly well equipped with telescopic sighted rifles from the beginning, as some 50,000 Mauser hunting rifles with scopes had been collected for use by the military.
Regards
TonyE
The British did not issue any Parker or similar ordinary aperture target sights during the war, but did obtain a fair number of optical Galiliean sights that were usually fitted over the existing sights. The Lattey, Neill, Martin and Gibbs were the best known of these.
The Australians though did issue rifle club type sights to snipers at Gallipoli and probably in other theatres, and they were used with considerable success.
The Germans were fairly well equipped with telescopic sighted rifles from the beginning, as some 50,000 Mauser hunting rifles with scopes had been collected for use by the military.
Regards
TonyE
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